Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Davis Schneider hits a solo home run against the Boston Red Sox in the seventh inning at Rogers Centre. The Red Sox won 7-3 on June 17, 2024.Dan Hamilton/Reuters
Tyler O’Neill hit two of Boston’s four home runs, fellow Canadian Nick Pivetta pitched seven innings and the Red Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays 7-3 on Monday night for their sixth win in eight games.
One day after setting a team record with nine stolen bases, the Red Sox slugged their way to victory by going deep four times off Yusei Kikuchi, matching his career worst.
Boston didn’t steal any bases, but Romy Gonzalez was caught stealing twice.
Gonzalez got caught in a rundown and was tagged out at third base in the fourth inning. Toronto used video replay to overturn a safe call at third on Boston’s double-steal attempt in the eighth.
Pivetta (4-4) allowed three runs and nine hits. He walked one and struck out four.
“It’s always very exciting for me to pitch in my home country,” Pivetta said. “My mom was here today with my aunt, so I think that’s really great. I was happy that we could put the win together and have a good day.”
O’Neill and Pivetta were both born in the western province of British Columbia.
“It’s always fun coming back home and breathing that northern air, just being up here for a little bit,” O’Neill said.
Brad Keller got five outs but exited after two Blue Jays reached in the ninth. Kenley Jansen came on and retired Davis Schneider for his 12th save in 13 chances.
Boston’s first four hits were all solo homers. O’Neill and Rafael Devers hit back-to-back shots with two outs in the first.
“Offensively, we came out hot,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “The two homers put us in a good spot.”
Ceddanne Rafaela homered to begin the third and O’Neill launched his second two outs later.
O’Neill’s homers were his 13th and 14th. It was his second multihomer game of the season and the seventh of his career.
“It’s a better lineup when he’s playing,” Cora said.
O’Neill came in 0 for 9 in his only two previous games in Toronto but turned that around in his first two trips to the plate. He grounded out to end the fifth, was intentionally walked in the seventh and hit into a double play in the ninth.
Devers hit his 14th home run. Ceddanne’s was his eighth.
The Red Sox have scored five runs or more eight times in 12 games. Boston is 27-15 when hitting at least one home run, and 11-20 without one.
Kikuchi (4-6) permitted five runs and seven hits in four innings. He walked none and struck out seven.
“Just an abnormal start for Yusei with his stuff tonight,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said.
The left-hander hadn’t allowed more than one home run in any of his previous 14 starts this season. He last gave up four against Houston on Aug. 2, 2019, his rookie season with Seattle.
Justin Turner reached base three times and hit a solo home run for Toronto, his first since April 29.
Davis Schneider also homered for the Blue Jays, his ninth.
Injury woes
Before the game, Blue Jays right-hander Yimi Garcia was placed on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow ulnar neuritis.
Left-hander Brandon Eisert, who made 20 appearances with Triple-A Buffalo this season, was selected to the roster. The reliever pitched two scoreless innings in his big-league debut.
Boston shortstop David Hamilton left the game in the fourth inning due to left side discomfort.
Voting under way
Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has a slim lead on Baltimore’s Ryan Mountcastle in early voting for the American League’s first base position at the 2024 all-star game.
The first phase of all-star voting continues through June 27 at noon ET. Guerrero is looking to make his third start for the AL side and fourth career all-star appearance.
Up next
Chris Bassitt (6-6, 3.56 ERA) was scheduled to start for the Blue Jays on Tuesday night against fellow right-hander Tanner Houck (7-5, 2.08).